PATH Intl. takes great pride in the outstanding equines, certified professionals, volunteers and veterinarians who serve at PATH Intl. Centers and the quality of equestrians whose lives—and horsemanship—have been enriched through equine-assisted activities and therapies. PATH Intl. is pleased to announce that the region award winners have been posted on the PATH Intl. Conference webpage along with the 2014 PATH Intl. Adult, Independent Adult, Child, Youth, and PATH International Equine Services for Heroes equestrian award winners.
All award winners will be recognized, and the 2014 PATH Intl. equine, certified professional, veterinarian and volunteer of the year and the James Brady award recipient will be announced at the 2014 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Awards Banquet in San Diego, CA, Friday, October 31.
PATH Intl. thanks the judges who selected our award winners and offers congratulations to everyone who was nominated.
(PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers are shown in ITALIC.)
2014 PATH INTL. WINNERS
Adult Equestrian of the Year: Christopher “CC” Chan, SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, Hockley, TX
Child Equestrian of the Year: Sarah Barber, National Ability Center, Park City, UT
Independent Adult Equestrian of the Year: Noel Jenkins, Chastain Horse Park, Atlanta, GA
Youth Equestrian of the Year: Kaitlyn Ucker, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Brewster, NY
PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® Equestrian Recognition Award (sponsored by Bimeda/Equimax): Romaaldo Saturnino, EQUEST, Wylie, TX
2014 PATH INTL. REGIONAL WINNERS
Equine, Certified Professional, Veterinarian and Volunteer of the Year
Region 1
Equine of the Year: Walhuke Dream (Mitch), High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program, Norwich, VT
Certified Professional of the Year: NA
Veterinarian of the Year: NA
Volunteer of the Year: Becky Foulk, High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program, Norwich, VT
Region 1 includes the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; and the Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec
Region 2
Equine of the Year: Tonka, Heritage Christian Stables, Webster, NY
Certified Professional of the Year: Margaret Mansfield, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Brewster, NY
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Rachael Levine, Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Volunteer of the Year: Deb Slating, Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, LLC, Old Westbury, NY
Region 2 includes the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania and Washington, DC; and Scandinavia, Europe, Middle East
Region 3
Equine of the Year: Happy, Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, Greenville, NC
Certified Professional of the Year: Liz Dulski, St. Andrews University “Ride Like a Knight”, Laurinburg, NC
Veterinarian of the Year: NA
Volunteer of the Year: Linda Moran, Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, Greenville, NC
Region 3 includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia
Region 4
Equine of the Year: Lovable Rascal (Rascal), Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, Chagrin Falls, OH
Certified Professional of the Year: Debra DeHoff, Serenity Farm Equestrian Center, Luckey, OH
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Loren Brandt, Reins of Life, Inc., South Bend, IN
Volunteer of the Year: Larisa Burks, Stepping Stones Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Monroe, MI
Region 4 includes the following states: Indiana, Kentucky Michigan, Ohio; and the Canadian Province of Ontario
Region 5
Equine of the Year: Gretel, Saddle Up!, Franklin, TN
Certified Professional of the Year: Martha Georgeson, Saddle Up!, Franklin, TN
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Nathaniel Wright, Saddle Up!, Franklin, TN
Volunteer of the Year: Harry Alaya, Heavenly Hooves, Kissimmee, FL
Region 5 includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee; Puerto Rico and Africa
Region 6
Equine of the Year: Hannah, RideAbility, Pine Island, MN
Certified Professional of the Year: Susie Bjorklund, Freedom Farm, Waverly, MN
Veterinarian of the Year: NA
Volunteer of the Year: NA
Region 6 includes the following states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin; and the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Region 7
Equine of the Year: Isaiah, Exceptional Equestrians of Missouri Valley, Inc., Washington, MO
Certified Professional of the Year: Nancy Winkelman, Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities, Warrenville, IL
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Dale Stapleton, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center, Harvard, IL
Volunteer of the Year: Lynne Curtis, Exceptional Equestrians of Missouri Valley, Inc., Washington, MO
Region 7 includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska
Region 8
Equine of the Year: Los Trigos Shandy, R.O.C.K. Ride on Center for Kids, Georgetown, TX
Certified Professional of the Year: Shelby Nicoletti, EQUEST, Wylie, TX
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Brian McNeil, Turning Point Ranch Foundation, Stillwater, OK
Volunteer of the Year: Renee Adair, SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, Hockley, TX
Region 8 includes the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; and Mexico, Central America and South America
Region 9
Equine of the Year: Sharette’s Green Acres Sidney (Sidney), Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Bellevue, ID
Certified Professional of the Year:
Brienne Mabry, Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Bellevue, ID
Veterinarian of the Year: NA
Volunteer of the Year: Kathy Kelley, Forward Stride, Beaverton, OR
Region 9 includes the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington State; and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia
Region 10
Equine of the Year: Sugar ‘n Spice (Sugar), Hearts and Horses, Loveland, CO
Certified Professional of the Year: NA
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. John Sieverts, National Ability Center, Park City, UT
Volunteer of the Year: Sheryl Clossen, The Right Step, Inc., Littleton, CO
Region 10 includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming
Region 11
Equine of the Year: Pete, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
Certified Professional of the Year: Garry Stauber, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Manuel Himenes, Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii, Waimanalo, HI
Volunteer of the Year: Terri Stinson, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
Region 11 includes the following states: California, Hawaii and Nevada; and Asia and Pacific
Early registration is currently offered online on the conference page at www.pathintl.org, as well as more information about conference sessions, the Town and Country Resort and fun things to do in San Diego.
PATH Intl. was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. The association certifies professionals and accredits centers that each year help 56,000 children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges find strength and independence through the power of the horse. Currently, 852 member centers offer therapeutic riding and other therapeutic horsemanship activities, including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, carriage driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, and under the direction of the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful programs. There are more than 52,000 volunteers, 4,544 instructors, 7,733 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Centers.
